Seconds later... he was dead
Inquest hears how Westminster terror attack victim saved wife
AMERICAN tourists Kurt Cochran and wife Melissa take in the sights on a walk on Westminster Bridge seconds before he was killed in an act of “indiscriminate” barbarity.
Khalid Masood, 52, drove into the couple at 32mph to 36mph. Kurt pushed his wife clear and took the full impact.
He was thrown over a rail, landed on the embankment 15 feet below and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kurt, 54, was one of five people killed in the Westminster Bridge terror attack.
Yesterday as their inquests began, coroner Mark Lucraft QC said: “The lives of many were torn apart by 82 seconds of high and terrible drama.”
PC Keith Palmer, 48, was stabbed to death trying to stop Masood, who had also killed retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, mum-oftwo Aysha Frade, 44, and Romanian tourist Andreea Cristea, 31.
Det Supt John Crossley described how each victims was fatally injured on March 22, 2017.
Masood’s rental car had mounted the pavement at 14:40:08 and within 30 seconds hit the four civilians and crashed into railings at the Palace of Westminster gates.
Gareth Patterson QC, who represents three of the families, said Masood was “deliberately targeting pedestrians”. People were hit like “human bowling pins”, “thrown in the air like rag dolls”.
Witnesses had described “the noise and the repeated thuds and bangs of the impact”. Mr Patterson said: “This was terrorism of an indiscriminate type.” Masood was shot dead by police. Tributes were paid to each of his victims at the inquest in the Old Bailey.
PC Palmer’s sister Angela said: “Keith died protecting strangers whilst doing his job and he will be remembered by many for his courage and bravery.”
Chief Insp Neil Sawyer said the constable made the “ultimate sacrifice”. He said: “His brave actions that day did not surprise me. Keith never backed away from a job protecting people.”
Kurt’s Cochran’s sister-inlaw Angela Stoll read a statement on his widow Melissa’s behalf. She said: “I was so lucky to have had 25 wonderful years with the man of my dreams. He made me laugh every single day. I cherish every single memory we made.” Leslie Rhodes’ niece Amanda Rhodes said her uncle was “placid, quiet, and kind”. She said: “Everyone loved him. He would do anything to help anyone.” Aysha Frade’s widower John told how was struck by her smile when they first met in 1996, describing it ”like the sun popping out from behind a cloud”. He said: “She still doesn’t feel like she’s gone, her love surrounds us, her aura lights up the paths of life’s journey.”
A video was played to the court paying tribute to Andreea Cristea, who was thrown into the Thames as she walked across the bridge with her boyfriend, Andrei Burnaz.
She had written a note on New Year’s Eve, telling of her hopes for the next year, which would “be the best of my life”.
Her note said: “I will have a wonderful man by my side, who will love and cherish me and with this man I will start a wonderful family.”
The hearing continues.